Key takeaways
- The whole visit takes 30–45 minutes; the injections themselves take under 10.
- It feels like a series of quick pinches. Most first-timers say “that’s it?”
- Nothing changes for 3–7 days; full results at two weeks, when we offer a complimentary check.
- Skip alcohol, blood thinners and hard workouts for 24 hours; stay upright for 4 hours after.
Before you arrive
- For 24–48 hours, avoid alcohol, ibuprofen, aspirin, fish oil and vitamin E if you can. They increase bruising. (Do not stop prescribed blood thinners without your doctor.)
- Come with a clean face or be ready to remove makeup from the treatment areas.
- Think about what bothers you when you look in the mirror, the “11” between the brows, forehead lines, crow’s feet, and what you want to keep. “I still want to look surprised” is useful information.
- Bring your list of medications and any history of cold sores, neuromuscular conditions or previous injectables.
Step 1: the consultation (10–15 minutes)
A nurse reviews your health history and consent form, then asks you to frown, raise your brows, squint and smile. This shows how your muscles pull, everyone is different, and lets us plan dosing that softens lines without flattening expression. We will talk about Botox, Dysport or Nuceiva, how many units each area needs, and the total price. You can stop here if you want to think about it; the consultation is free and there is never any pressure.
Step 2: mapping and prep (5 minutes)
We cleanse the skin and may mark injection points with a white pencil. The nurse checks your brow position and symmetry from several angles. A topical numbing cream is available, but most clients skip it: the needle is finer than the one used for a blood test, and each injection takes a second.
Step 3: the injections (5–10 minutes)
Frown lines usually take five small injections; the forehead four to eight; crow’s feet three per side. Each feels like a brief pinch with slight pressure, and any sting fades in seconds. Small bumps like mosquito bites appear at each point and settle within 20–30 minutes. That is genuinely the whole procedure.
| Area | Injection points | Typical units (Botox-equivalent) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frown lines (“11s”) | 5 | 15–25 | 2 min |
| Forehead lines | 4–8 | 10–20 | 2 min |
| Crow’s feet | 3 per side | 12–24 total | 2 min |
| Brow lift | 2–4 | 4–8 | 1 min |
| Lip flip | 4 | 4–6 | 1 min |
Right after: the first 24 hours
- Stay upright for 4 hours: no napping face-down, no yoga inversions.
- Do not rub or massage the area, and skip facials, saunas and hot yoga for 24 hours. Gentle cleansing and makeup after 4 hours are fine.
- No strenuous exercise, alcohol or blood thinners for 24 hours to limit bruising.
- Move the muscles. Frowning and raising your brows a few times in the first hour is fine and may help the product settle where it was placed.
- Mild headache or tenderness is common on day one; acetaminophen is fine.
Days 3 to 14: watching it work
Nothing happens on day one or two, which is normal: first-timers often check the mirror and worry it “didn’t work.” Around day 3–5 the muscles start to feel heavier or “different,” and by day 7 lines are visibly softer. Full effect arrives at 14 days. That is when we schedule a complimentary follow-up: if one brow is slightly higher or a stubborn line needs a few more units, a small adjustment fine-tunes the result. Please do not judge your first treatment before the two-week mark.
How long it lasts and when to rebook
Results last 3–4 months. Movement returns gradually rather than all at once, so many clients rebook at 12–14 weeks to stay ahead of the lines. Treating consistently tends to lengthen the interval over time as the muscle gets used to resting. Ready to try it? Request a free consultation. You can meet the nurse, ask everything and decide with no obligation.
Your questions, answered
Straight answers from the Oxyderm clinical team on the questions this article raises. Browse all 89 answers or ask us directly.
Does Botox hurt?
Each injection feels like a brief pinch and takes about a second. Most first-time clients say it was far easier than expected. Numbing cream is available but rarely needed.
How long does a Botox appointment take?
About 30–45 minutes for a first visit including the consultation; the injections themselves take 5–10 minutes. Return visits are usually 15–20 minutes.
When will I see results?
Changes begin at 3–7 days and full results appear at about two weeks, when we offer a complimentary check-in.
Can I go back to work afterwards?
Yes. There is no downtime: small bumps settle within 30 minutes and makeup can be applied after 4 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
Will I look frozen?
Not with careful dosing. We map your muscles while you make expressions and dose to soften lines while keeping natural movement. You can always add a few units at the two-week check; you cannot take them away.
What should I avoid after Botox?
Lying down for 4 hours, rubbing the area, alcohol, blood thinners, hard workouts, saunas and facials for 24 hours.
How much does a first Botox treatment cost?
It depends on the areas and units. We quote the full price at your free consultation before anything is injected; memberships include a monthly credit toward treatments.
